Roland HP109-PE 30, Tuning to other instruments pitches (Master Tuning), Changing the temperament, Setting the tuning curve (Stretch Tuning)

HP109-PE – Chapter 5. Changing Various Settings
30
■ Tuning to other instruments’ pitches (Master
Tuning)
In situations such as when playing ensemble with other
instruments, you can tune the HP109-PE’s standard pitch
to the pitch of another instrument. The standard pitch
generally refers to the pitch of the note that’s played
when you finger the middle A key. This tuning of all the
instruments to a standard pitch is called “tuning.”
If you press the [Piano] button in step 2 of “Making
Detailed Settings (Function)” (p. 29), a display like the
following will appear.
The last three digits are indicated in the display. “440.0
Hz” is indicated in the figure above.
Value 415.3 Hz–440.0 Hz–466.2 Hz
Factory setting 440.0 Hz
This setting remains in effect until you turn off the power.
* You can save this setting in the HP109-PE’s memory using
the Memory Backup function (p. 32).
■ Changing the temperament
You can play classical styles such as Baroque using his-
toric temperaments (tuning methods).
Today, compositions are generally created with equal
temperament in mind and are played using equal tem-
perament. However in past ages of classical music, a vari-
ety of temperaments were used. Playing a composition
with its original tuning lets you enjoy the sonorities of the
chords that the composer originally intended.
If you press the [E.Piano] button in step 2 of “Making
Detailed Settings (Function)” (p. 29), a display like the
following will appear.
You can choose from among the eight temperaments
described below.
Factory setting 1 C
Tonic
When playing with tuning other than equal tempera-
ment, you need to specify the tonic note for tuning the
song to be performed (that is, the note that corresponds to
C for a major key or to A for a minor key).
While holding down the [E. Piano] button, press a note
to specify the desired tonic key.
The tonic note you specify will be displayed as follows.
fig.Chart_note2.j
If you choose an equal temperament, there’s no need to
select a tonic note.
* If you record with a temperament other than equal tempera-
ment selected, and then want to play back that performance,
use this setting to select the same temperament for playback as
the temperament you used when recording.
* When performing in ensemble with other instruments, be
aware that depending on the key, there may be some shifting of
the pitch. Tune the HP109-PE to the fundamental pitch of the
other instruments.
* You can save this setting in the HP109-PE’s memory using
the Memory Backup function (p. 32).
■ Setting the tuning curve (Stretch Tuning)
A piano is generally tuned to a pitch with a lower bass
range and a higher treble range than equal temperament.
This special tuning method for pianos is called “Stretch
Tuning.”
If you press the [Harpsichord] button in step 2 of “Mak-
ing Detailed Settings (Function)” (p. 29), a display like the
following will appear.
Factory setting On
* This effect works only with the piano tones.
Display Tempera-
ment Qualities
1 Equal
In this tuning, each octave is divided into
twelve equal steps. Every interval produces
about the same amount of slight dissonance.
2Just
Major
This tuning eliminates ambiguities in the
fifths and thirds. It is unsuited to playing
melodies and cannot be transposed, but is
capable of beautiful sonorities.
3Just
Minor
The Just tunings differ from major and
minor keys. You can get the same effect with
the minor scale as with the major scale.
4 Arabic This tuning is suitable for the music of Ara-
bia.
5Kirn-
berger
This is an improvement of the Mean Tone
and Just tunings that provides a high degree
of freedom of modulation. Performances are
possible in all keys (III).
Temperament Tonic
6 Mean Tone
This scale makes some compromises in just
intonation, enabling transposition to other
keys.
7 Pythagorean
This tuning, devised by the philosopher
Pythagoras, eliminates dissonance in
fourths and fifths. Dissonance is produced
by third-interval chords, but melodies are
euphonious.
8Werck-
meister
This temperament combines the Mean Tone
and Pythagorean tunings. Performances are
possible in all keys (first technique, III).
OFF This is the standard tuning curve. This is the right
choice when using Dual performance (p. 20), or
when playing in ensemble with other instru-
ments.
On This tuning curve expands the bass and treble
ends somewhat. It is suitable for performances
such as piano solos.
Display Tempera-
ment Qualities
C C d E_ E F F G A_ A b_ b
C C D E E F F G A A B B
Display
Letter
name